Bodegas Esmeralda ‘Tilia’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Mendoza, Argentina $12.95 (163428) 13.5% alcohol
Inky and opaque, this is quite a robust wine with expressive aromas of cassis, dark chocolate and cedar. It’s full bodied with a rich core of berry fruit, fine acidity and perceptible tannins. It’s straightforward and balanced, with great consistency of aromas and flavours. The extended finish replays the ripe fruit and chocolate. A good value and meant for a T-bone steak fresh from the grill, or a hearty lasagna. (Susan Desjardins)


Bodegas Esmeralda ‘Tilia’ Malbec 2008
Mendoza, Argentina $12.95 (160945) 13.5% alcohol
This is a very nice Malbec with a subtle nose displaying floral, earthy, spicy aromas around a core of ripe dark fruit. The deep violet color foreshadows the fruit forward nature of the wine, with it’s flavours of dark berries, plums, spice and dark toast. It’s medium-full bodied with tangy acidity and soft tannins. There’s a nice fresh texture—almost like biting into a ripe black plum—and an attractive fruity finish underlaid with spice and char. Great for the barbeque. (Susan Desjardins)


Viña Cono Sur Riesling 2009
Valle des Bío Bío, Chile $9.95 (156653) 13.5% alcohol
Crafted from hand-picked grapes from vineyards managed within a framework of sustainable agriculture, this wine displays fresh sweet fruity aromatics with notes of stone fruit, citrus and a whiff of spice and minerality. The texture is lush and smooth with a clean seam of acidity underlying the appealing flavours of apricots, nectarines and lime. Medium bodied and nicely balanced, the wine has a crisp finish with a pleasant touch of pithiness. Nicely made and very nicely priced. (Susan Desjardins)


Henry of Pelham ‘Sibling Rivalry’ Pink 2009
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $13.95 (171033) 11.5% alcohol
Yes, definitely a bright pink, this fun blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Gamay has a ‘trio’ theme: 3 varietals, 3 brothers and 3 symbols—rock-paper-scissors. Makes you wonder who won the game of deciding the blend for the wine! Enjoy intense sweet red fruit aromatics with some spice and herbal notes. Light-medium bodied, it offers juicy cran-raspberry and raspberry jam flavours matched with crisp refreshing acidity. The attractive red fruit and some of those spicy herbal notes characterize the tangy mid-length finish. An enjoyable sipping wine, drink it in the spirit! (Susan Desjardins)